GREECE Country Report on Adult Education in - Helsinki, 2011

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GREECE Country Report on Adult Education in - Helsinki, 2011
Country Report on Adult
     Education in
       GREECE
       Helsinki, 2011
GREECE Country Report on Adult Education in - Helsinki, 2011
EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

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report via the following url or QR-code, or contact us directly at
eaea-info[at]eaea.org.

                     http://www.eaea.org/country/greece

Please cite this report as: EAEA (2011): Country report Greece. (Helsinki).
www.eaea.org/country/greece. Date of Access.

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

Table of Contents
  Introduction .......................................................................................................3
  Overview ...........................................................................................................4
  Politics and Law ................................................................................................5
  Future trends/key concerns/directions...............................................................7
  Structure overview.............................................................................................8
  Key Providers/Main institutions/Sources for Adult Education ..........................10
     ‘Non-Formal´ Learning.................................................................................10
     Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) ..................................................10
     Vocational Institutions and career-related training .......................................11
     Universities ..................................................................................................13
     e-learning.....................................................................................................15
  References ......................................................................................................16

Introduction
This Report covers the situation of Adult Education and Lifelong Learning in
Greece. It is divided into two sections. The section Policy and Politics gives an
overview of the key policy currently in force, and also outlines the main legislation
or political situation in the country. Structure and Providers gives a more detailed
look at the organizational structures, and also outlines the main adult education
providers, mainly looking at non-formal and informal learning.

We want to thank our members for their contributions to this reflection on the
adult education situation in Greece as far as possible as of 2010/2011. Inevitably
there will be new things emerging within the ever changing situation of adult
education, but we believe the majority of the information provided will be relevant
and useful for the foreseeable future. However, to keep the resource accurate
and up to date we are open to suggestions to improve the texts. If you feel there
is something you can add about your country please contact us via email at
eaea-info[at]eaea.org.

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

Overview
In Greece a Lifelong Learning (LLL) strategy has been adopted by the political
leadership of the Ministry of Education & Religious Affairs (Ypourgeio
Ethnikis Paideias kai Thriskeumaton, YPEPTH). Under its latest Operational
Program (2007-2013), YPEPTH has planned a series of measures which aim to
create a system of education and lifelong learning that will provide the resources
and skills necessary for active participation in society [1].

Within the General Secretariat for Adult Education (GSAE), the Ministry of
National Education and Religious Affairs (YPEPTH), is the executive, public
body responsible for adult education and training. Its mission is to design,
coordinate and support measures which relate to supplementation of basic
education and life-long learning and training both for the adult workforce of
Greece and for those threatened with social exclusion [2].

Its main field relates to basic education supplementation programmes and
literacy programmes, continuing training courses, measures to combat exclusion
from the labour market and Community Initiatives financed by the European
Union (European Social Fund), socio-cultural education courses, continuing
training and repeat education measures for the adult workforce.

The GSAE collaborates with other government organisations, such as: the
Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the
Ministry of Justice, the Greek Manpower Employment Organization (OAED), the
Organisations of Local Government, to achieve the essential co-ordination for the
successful implementation and maximisation of return investment in the area of
adult education. Moreover, the GSAE promotes inter-country relations with the
corresponding institutions of other European and third countries, mainly via the
European Programs and Initiatives.

The promotion of Lifelong Learning constitutes a high priority for the Greek
State, taking into consideration the European policies in this area. In this context
the necessary legislative provisions have been developed to reinforce Adult
Education, to strengthen the role of the General Secretariat for Adult
Education and to regulate the different types of life long education and training
providers [3].

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

Politics and Law
In Greece the 3369/2005 law systematises lifelong learning. It defines lifelong
education as an activity across people´s life-span, aiming towards the acquisition
and improvement of general and scientific knowledge, skills and
competencies as well as personal development and employability. Lifelong
training is defined as the initial and continuing vocational training, which helps
people enter or re-enter the labour market and ensure professional
development. One of the main points of the law is the establishment of the
National Committee for Lifelong Learning, which aims to ascertain the needs
of lifelong education and training, to evaluate the overall quality of delivery and to
co-ordinate the institutions of lifelong education and training [4].

With the Educational Law 2909/2001, the General Secretariat of Popular
Education has been renamed the General Secretariat for Adult Education
(GSAE), and undertakes the planning, co-ordination and implementation of
actions that concern lifelong learning on both a national level and on the level for
emigrant Hellenism. Also within the law are basic adult education programs, in
order to counteract illiteracy and increase participation in compulsory
education; the general adult education and training programs, which support
continuing education and training, and the training of special groups that are
threatened by social exclusion. It also addresses the Greek second language
programs as well as the education in the sector of new technologies, socio-
cultural education and training that concerns cultural, social, health and
environmental issues as well as European affairs. Open and distance education
and training is also a concern, as well as the connection and collaboration with
the modern distance learning organisations; and the education of adult trainers.

GSAE oversees the Institute of Continuing Adult Education (IDEKE). The
IDEKE is a private entity which is subject to the General Secretariat Lifelong
Learning (Secretary D.V.M.). The main purpose of the Technological and
Scientific Support programs Secretary D.V.M. is the implementation of
activities related to lifelong learning. To achieve this basic objective it
provides the logistical and scientific infrastructure and the dissemination of
educational and training materials, seeks to integrate information technology and
communications using modern educational multimedia and educational software
and implements specific research and educational programs for adults [5].

The following institutions are implementing the GSAE policy: the Institute of
Continuing Adult Education (IDEKE); the Prefectural Committees of
Popular Training (NELE), which provide training programs on culture, arts,
social economy and business development at local level; and the Centre of
Vocational Training (KEK), which is responsible for reinforcing GSAE initiatives
to counteract unemployment. The major premise of the development of GSAE's
nation-wide programmes is their delivery at the place of residence or at work

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

place. In this context, the GSAE has developed a nation-wide "Network of
Lifelong Education for Adults" in which every Municipality and Local
Community Council can participate. Today more than 1000 Municipalities and
local Community Councils participate in the network.

The objectives and the total planning of EPEAEK are included in the national
strategy for education. The Operational Program is implemented at the same
time as other important actions of institutional character, in the sector of
development of human capital. The priorities and the measures that are
developed are in line with the broader policy of development of human
resources, the national plan of action for the employment, the educational
policy, and the directions of the European Union. They aim towards the
improvement of provided education and the possibilities of young people to
integrate in the social and productive web, in the promotion of equality of
chances, fighting of social exclusion, promotion of subjects that concern the
environment, the development of an entrepreneurial spirit, and the promotion of
equality of the sexes [6].

The Operational Program (EP) "Education and Lifelong Learning" emphasises
four goals, namely "Growth - Competitiveness- Education- Employment". At
the same time, the National Reform Program (EPM) 2005-2008 for the Growth
and the Employment highlights the importance of developing the knowledge
society. Priority is given to the human capital investment, such as the increase
of public expense for education, the reinforcement of the flexibility and cohesion
of the educational system, the improvement of quality and its effectiveness via
decentralisation, the reduction of bureaucracy, evaluation on all levels of
education, and research and innovation. The utilisation of new technologies not
only as an subject itself but also as means of teaching is basic parameter of
planning, in the context of a more holistic national Digital Strategy. Lifelong
learning is being chosen as the basic governmental strategy in order to ensure
both the provision of knowledge which shapes the personality of modern
active citizen, and the acquisition of skills that would improve accessibility in the
job market as well as reduce structural unemployment in Greece.

The above strategic directions and choices have been shaped in the context of
concrete developmental model that has been adopted by the Greek Government
for the Knowledge Society and Innovation, as described in the National
Strategic Reference Framework (ESPA) 2007-2013 [7]. ESPA allows, 3,3
billion Euros of public investment for education (via the EP Education and
Lifelong Learning and the PEP of period 2007-2013). Additional national financial
resources will be progressively invested by 2013, so that the expenses for
education (as percentage of Gross Domestic Product) meet the European mean
and take into consideration the EPM and the corresponding recommendations.
Thematic priority of ESPA´s developmental strategy constitutes the "Society of
Knowledge and Innovation". In the particular thematic priority the General

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

Objective n. 4 titled: "The improvement of quality and the intensity of investments
in the human capital for the upgrade of Greek educational system" is also
reported. More specifically the aims of this general objective are the
reinforcement of lifelong learning. Lifelong learning services will be promoted,
with the mobilisation of individuals, particularly those of low qualifications, older
people, or those who have left their formal education in order to counteract the
school drop out rates by confronting school failure as well as promoting the
growth of cross-cultural education and compensatory teaching [8].

Future trends/key concerns/directions
The major strategic priorities for adult education are the creation of a common
registration for GSAE adult trainers. This registry will be supplemented by the
trainers that work under the banner of the Organisation of Vocational and
Training (OEEK) so that a unified and certified registry comes into force. This
common registration of adult trainers will be regulated according to the YPEPTH
rules and legislation; including the connection of the adult education sector with
the other structures of the formal educational system and its interconnection
with the job market; the promotion of strategic planning for the 4th
programmatic period (2008-2013); and the promotion of a System of Quality
Assurance and program Evaluation and Certification. Also proposed is the
growth of collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance; the
finalisation of the operational charter and building infrastructure of the Lifelong
Learning Research Centre - "Aristotle"; and the constitution of the National
Library of Lifelong learning [9].

In July 2010 the Greek Minister of Education announced the new Bill on the
"Development of the Life Long Learning and other clauses". In general, the
new bill mainly focuses on the revocation of a series of previous laws aimed to
rationalise the Greek Adult Education and Training System. The National
Network of Life Long Learning (NNLLL) will be created and will be composed
as follows: General Secretariat of LLL (GSLL); Peripheral Departments of LLL,
one for every Administrative Region (13 Peripheries); Municipal Departments of
LLL, a Special Unit of the new Municipalities; EKEPIS; National Organization of
the Accreditation of Qualifications; National Centre of Vocational Counseling; and
a National Centre of Public Administration and Local Authorities.

A systemic relationship will be articulated through mutual information and
communication sharing, negotiation, cooperation and synergy, and coordination
and synthesis of proposals. The NNLLL will concern the following subject areas:
the National Programme of Life Long Learning; models and standards relevant to
vocational training and general Adult Education (structures, profiles, courses,
trainers); the National Qualification Framework; Europass; Quality Assurance;
Technical Plans; and the contractual praxis of LLL. The coordination of the
overall strategies will be pursued by a new tool called ‘Continuing Congress of

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

General Adult Education´, aiming to contribute to the improvement of the quality
and effectiveness of the LLL system.

Local Authorities will have the exclusive initiative in developing local strategies
and programmes on Adult Education and Training in accordance with the needs
and the general profile of particular areas [10].

Structure overview
The system of education and training in Greece is divided into two basic sectors.
The first sector relates to formal educational activities and the second sector to
activities that are included in lifelong education and training. They are divided
into three basic sub-systems.

Firstly, there is the sub-system of initial vocational training. The guiding
institution of planning and implementing educational activities in this sub-system
is OEEK, governed by the YPEPTH. Within the framework of the Greek National
Vocational Education and Training System, the Organisation for Vocational
Education and Training (OEEK) was established. OEEK is an autonomous
legal entity, which provides formal vocational education and training and has the
overall responsibility for the Vocational Training Institutes which have been
operating in country since 1992. Its actions are materialised via a network of
public and private Institutes of Vocational Training (IEK). OEEK is also the
National Centre of co-ordination of Europass. OEEK is responsible for the
provision of all kinds of vocational training (initial or additional), the organisation
and operation of IEKs, the determination of the curriculum for Public and Private
IEK and the monitoring and control of Private IEK [11].

Secondly there is the sub-system of continuing vocational training. The
National Accreditation Centre for Continuing Vocational Training (EKEPIS) was
founded in 1997 and is the national agency responsible for implementing national
planning and of making actions concrete, together with the Special Departments
of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. The EKEPIS policies are
implemented via a network of public and private Vocational Training Centres
(KEK). EKEPIS is the official institution for the development, implementation and
follow-up of the National Certification System of Continuing Vocational Training in
Greece. One of the EKEPIS core activities is to ensure - via the Certification
process - that all continuing vocational training providers in Greece deliver quality
programs. This process includes certification of the Vocational Training Centres
(KEK) and the Special Centres of Social and Vocational Integration for socially
excluded groups and individuals, trainers in VET and the Coordinators of Support
Services (SYY); and also Vocational Profile Descriptions; Vocational Training
Programmes; Knowledge, Skills and Competencies [12].

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

The final sub-system of lifelong education and training for adults is
supervised by the General Secretariat for Adult Education (GSAE). In
addition, several Ministries carry out educational and training programs. For
example, the national Centre of Public Adminitration and Local-government
(EKDDA) a Legal Public entity which operates under the jurisdiction of the
Ministry of Internal Affairs. Its main mission is the improvement of organisation
and operation of Public Administration and Self-government, via the education,
and the continuing training, of public employees. EKDDA in collaboration with the
ADEDY (Public Servants´ Confederation) will draw a modern system of training,
certification and evaluation of public employees. Paying particular attention to the
importance of the decentralisation of its activities, EKDDA has established 12
Regional Institutes of Training (PINEP) in the seats of corresponding
administrative regions, thus covering the local needs in Greece.

Since 2005 there has also been the National School of Local-government
(ESTA), which is responsible for the education of Local-government executive
personnel. In the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance there is also OAED,
which is the main body for the implementation of Governmental Policy for
employment. It develops a dense network of employment services as well as
advisory and vocational orientation via the Centres of Employment Promotion
and specialised labour Advisers. Moreover, it implements programs of workers´
training. The Ministry of Health and Social Solidarity provides educational
programs, further training and also specialisations for health workers via the
National School for Public Health [13].

The Ministry of Agriculture via the Organization of Agricultural Vocational
Training and Employment (OGEEKA) and the Centres of Continuing Training
"DIMITRA", delivers programs for farmers and other workers in various
occupations in the agricultural sector. Finally, large enterprises of Public
Sector (e.g. the National Electrical Company, Hellenic Telecommunications
Organization, the Greek Post, Hellenic Railways, etc.), as well as trade-union
organisations such as the General Confederation of Workers Greece (National
Workers' Union of Greece) and ADEDY provide various educational programs for
their workers [14].

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

Key Providers/Main institutions/Sources for Adult
Education
‘Non-Formal´ Learning

There are many voluntary programmes existing in Greece; some examples
are:

GSAE have developed the national educational program of crisis management "I
PROTECT MYSELF AND OTHERS". This was in a partnership with the
Ministries of Internal Public Administration and Decentralisation (General
Secretariat of Political Protection), National Defence (KOMAK), PEXODE,
(Organization of Antiseismic Planning and Protection), Public Order (Fire
Brigade), Commercial Shipping (Harbour Authority), as well as the NGO´s
"Greek Red Cross" and "PRAKSIS". The educated volunteers may join the
National Registration of Volunteers of the General Secretariat of Political
Protection [15]. Also, seminars and congresses have been organised for the
training of 2.500 executives of Public Administration in collaboration with the
National Centre of Public Administration and self-government. Finally, a number
of actions were taken concerning the education of teachers such as the
program "Management of Dangers in the School Unit", in collaboration with the
National Centre of Public Administration and self-government [16].

The educational program "Learning Greek as a second language by working
immigrants" is offered to immigrants regardless of their nationality, to spouses of
Greek citisens as well as to those who wish to acquire the status of a long term
resident in Greece, for which it is an essential condition to hold a certified Greek
language proficiency and have knowledge of elements of Greek history and
culture. This educational programme is structured in four levels of learning. The
three first levels are 100 hours of study each, while the fourth is 125 hours [17].

There are also many other programmes aimed to improve adult training in
various areas, including new technologies, land workers education, health
education, eduation for Roma people and immigrants.

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

GSAE actively participates in European programs, which focus on innovation and
particularly the education of trainers, and socially excluded groups.

The organisation "Association for Adult Education" (AAE) focuses on the
development of Life Long Learning (LLL) and more particularly that of Adult
Education. The Association has operated informally since 2000, and as a
formally organised institution since 2003. Its members have untill now officiated

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

in actions like the Second Chance Schools, the Centers for Adult Education,
consultancy of parents, and cultural programs in Adult Education, with significant
social response. In addition to this, they have participated in all the leading
European networks for the corresponding issues and they have vast experience
concerning LLL policies, Adult Education and employment [18].

Regional Vocational Training Centers (KEKs) are activated in the field of non
formal training, certified to provide training opportunities for those who are
disadvantaged. The Vocational Training Centre "DAFNI" was founded in 1996
by a team of scientists with the goal to combat unemployment (especially in
women and young people) with high-level vocational training based on the
latest educational methods and technological innovations. DAFNI's KEK mainly
focusses on community level learning initiatives, local networking, and
participation in implementing regional policy of non-fomal VTC. It functions as a
Certified (by the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs) Vocational Training
Center, which are non-profit non-government organisations with a nation-wide
range of activities. It is based in Patras, in the state of Achaia, Western Greece
with branches in Athens and Argos [19].

The ERGON KEK (centre for Vocational Training) was founded in 1995 and it is
one of the first Centres for Vocational Training that operated on a nationwide
level. Since then, it has established itself as one of the most dynamic businesses
in the field, having acquired a great deal of experience by providing vocational
training and learning services. In the past 15 years, the ERGON KEK has worked
to expand the scope of its services and enter into new markets. [20]

The Hellenic Adult Education Association (HAEA) is a non-profit, non-
governmental organisation. The mission of the association is to promote the
scientific development of adult education in Greece and South Eastern
Europe, to support it's members by providing professional development,
enhancing communication, and creating a sense of community [21].

Vocational Institutions and career-related training

The institution of Second Chance Schools has been developed as an effort to
combat social exclusion of adults who have not finished basic education and
do not have the necessary qualifications and skills to adapt to modern
vocational requirements. Young people (aged between 18 and 30) who have
dropped out of school are then able to complete their compulsory nine year
education.

Special, intensive primary and lower secondary school courses are run at
Second Chance Schools and graduates are issued with a leaving certificate
equivalent to that of the Primary and Lower Secondary School leaving
certificate. This entitles them to register with the Unified Lyceum, Technical

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

Vocational Educational Institutes and post-gymnasium IEK and to attend certain
vocational training courses.

The courses last 18 months with 20 hours of class per week held in the evenings.
Today there are 5 Second Chance Schools in operation, in Athens (Peristeri,
Menidi), Patra, Thessaloniki and Heraklion-Crete, and in the future there are
plans to establish other similar schools. Second Chance Schools are established
following a recommendation from the Institute of Continuing Adult Education
(IDEKE) in collaboration with local government authorities in order to ensure the
proper conditions for running such a school are met [22].

KEE support the learning of citizens who have completed various levels of
education. In the educational period 2007-2008, 77 educational programs have
been offered including a wide spectrum of thematic fields. KEE programs
include: Greek language and history, European languages, basic mathematics,
Information Technologies, economics, tourism, Active Citizenship programmes
(rights and obligations) as well as cultural programmes [23].

NELE (Prefectural Committees of Popular Education) is one of the oldest
institutions offering adult education in Greece. It was established in 1965, when it
evolved from the "Prefectural Committees for Combating Illiteracy" (NEKA) which
were set up in 1954. Today there are 54 NELE departments, one in each
Prefecture of the country. NELE´s adult education and training initiatives are
mostly funded, and supervised, by the General Secretariat for Adult Education.
The NELE establish adult education centres (for example KEKs), hire trainers,
design study programmes and then aslo evaluate them. They offer courses , free
of charge, for general education, vocational training and socio-cultural
education.

Parent´s Schools aim to provide advisory support and counselling to
parents, as it recognises the complexities and difficulties of parenting in the
modern socio-economic conditions. The program focuses on three training
strands: "Parents´ Counselling", lasting 40 hours, "Relations of School-family",
lasting 20 hours, "Education and Counselling Support of Families from ROMA,
Muslim, Repatriate and Immigrant Background", lasting 50 hours. The
programme is delivered in collaboration with KEEs. [24].

Continuing vocational training is also offered by Vocational Training Centers
(KEKs), as metioned previously. These institutions, and therefore the courses
provided by them, are officially accredited by the National Accreditation Center of
Vocational Training Structures and Accompanying Support Services (EKEPIS).
The Centres, which operate under the GSAE, are one of the institutions
responsible for the implementation of the national policy to counteract
unemployment. The KEKs design and offer courses for employees, the

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

unemployed and school leavers with all levels of education in many different
subjects within the framework of continuing vocational training. [25]

Other more specific programmes include:

Heron - ‘Adult Training in the Acquisition of Basic ICT Skills´, was initiated
during the educational period 2005-2006 and constitutes the first large scale
effort to educate citizens in the basic skills of new Technologies. This runs as
an educational program which lasts for 50 hours. It has been reported that
programs have been completed in the 90% of the country´s municipalities [26].

The Farmers Education for the Undertaking of Activities in the Secondary
and the Tertiary Sector of Economy (ISIODOS) is an initiative which is
designed, when completed, to function as a pilot for other programmes
concerning lifelong learning and employability. It aims to improve the knowledge
and skills of farmers and to encourage them to undertake enterprising activities
so that they have a successful growth from primary to the secondary and tertiary
sectors of production[27].

Universities

University education is divided into four types of schools: public Universities,
public technical Universities, the Hellenic Open University (HOU) - which is a
distance education institution - and various private colleges. Greek Universities
are fully self-governed, overseen by the state and financially aided by it. There
are currently 23 public Universities in Greece, 16 technical Universities and many
private colleges. Many Departments of these Universities were founded very
recently, as a response to the mainly political expectation for the increase of
university grduates in the Greek economic environment. However, to date there
are questions about the longevity of some of these insitutions, as increasing
pressure is put on them for higher scientific and educational standards.

An alternative to unviersitites for high school graduates are the Institutes for
Professional Education (IEK), which offer mainly technical education [28].
Adult teaching is often a part-time role for many of the trainers participating in this
field, however during the past few years the number of trainers who have
undertaken studies in Adult Education has been increased.

Higher Education Institutions, which offer programs in the area of the Adult
Education, are:

- The University of Athens and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the two
biggest public Universities in Greece, who offer distance education courses
through the e-Class platform. This is one of the distance education platforms
mostly used in Greek Universities as part of the Greek University Net (GUNET),

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

(an initiative in which most Greek Universities participate), which mainly support
asynchronous e-learning services. Aristotle University also offers distance
education classes through Blackboard software. The e-class platform is also
used by the University of Thessaly and the University of Crete is currently
working on 'class-web', a platform for distance education applications. The
University of Athens currently offers 1547 online modules through GUNET, as
well as continuing education programs through a distance education platform
[29].

- The University of Patras provides post graduate courses in Life Long Learning
through the Department of Early Childhood, and the Department of Primary
Education (School of Humanities). These post graduate courses are usually
adapted to new trends of AE and provide educators, trainers and other AE
executives with the nesessary skills and theoretical background to confront
the challenge of further education and training (Continuing Education). The
university has its own structure of VTC (KEK), and participates in National Calls
for Proposals on Innovative Vocational Training Courses to Unemployed, as well
as using the e-Class platform. The university also has a centre for Intercultural
Education (KEDEK), which provides Greek Language Courses to migrants and
Erasmus Students [30].

- The University of Macedonia. The departments of Educational and Social Policy
awards double degrees, with two main specialisations, one of which is
Continuing Education. This direction aims to educate students with respect to the
acquisition of educational, psychological and administrative skills, so that they
can work as experts in the Continuing Education field. The program of study is
comprised of two 'circles' of study (each lasting two years), the first circle of study
is common for all students and includes subjects such as pedagogy, psychology,
sociology, philosophy, and the didactics of special objects, ICT and statistics.
The second circle of study includes specialised courses such as continuous
education, and education of people with special needs [31].

- Hellenic Open University (EAP). The postgraduate Program "Adult Education"
has been offered by the EAP since the academic year 2003-2004. The aim of the
program is to provide specialised knowledge and to develop skills so that
graduates are able to design, organise and evaluate adult education programs,
as well as to teach in them. It focussed on using modern educational methods as
well as methods of distance learning. [32]

The University of Peloponnese. The department of Social and Educational Policy
of the University of Peloponnese operates in the Faculty of Social Sciences in
Corinth. The department of Social and Educational Policy has as a mission to
"promote the science and the research in the sectors of the protection of citizens´
social rights...the deepening of structures of social state, the prevention and the
security in combination with social growth, the continuous education, the

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

education of adults and the planning of new social and educational policies and
institutions" [32].

e-learning

E-learning in Greece is mostly provided by the Hellenic Open University (HOU) in
Patras. However most public Universities use e-learning platforms and offer e-
learning lessons at both undergraduate and postgraduate level in order to
support the learning procedure. In the secondary education level the Greek
Schools' Network and the Pedagogical Institute are responsible for e-learning
procedures.

The Greek Schools' Network is the educational intranet of the Ministry of
Education and Religious Affairs, which interlinks all schools and provides basic
and advanced services. The implementation of the Greek Schools' Network is
funded by the Framework Programme for the Information Society, in close
cooperation between the Ministry of Education as well as 12 Research Centers
and Highest Education Institutes, specialised in network and Internet
technologies.

E-Yliko is the official educational portal of the Ministry of Education and Life Long
Learning and is actually a place for members of the sector to meet and gain
support, including useful links, educational software, articles, teaching proposals,
support material and information about conferences and competitions. All of
these services are offered on-line to support both classroom based teachers and
distance learning teachers. Another critical role concerning the education and
ICT implementation in education is held by the Pedagogical Institute - an an
independent public organisation founded in 1964 and the oldest research and
consultant carrier concerning education matters - who contribute to the national
education policy through the Ministry of Educational and Public affairs.

IDEKE - through its e-learning platform - now offers several e-learning
programmes for adult training covering ICT, economics, the environment and
tourism, which are divided into five sub-units of 50 hours each. The HOU´s
mission is to provide distance education at both undergraduate and postgraduate
level, and to achieve this it works to develop and implement appropriate learning
materials and methods of teaching [33].

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

References
[1]. http://libserver.cedefop.europa.eu/vetelib/eu/pub/cedefop/vetreport/
2009_CR_GR.pdf
[2]. http://www.ekep.gr/english/education/ggee.asp
[3]. http://www.unesco.org/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/INSTITUTES/UIL/confintea/
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%20North%20America/Greece_EN.pdf

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EAEA Country Report on Adult Education in Greece: Helsinki, 2011

[24]. http://e-demos.iacm.forth.gr/index.php/greececr/103-main-types-of-
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